The occurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer on the hands after exposure to UV radiation on the nails

In this article, we will look at the symptoms and causes of allergies to gel polish, and also learn about treatment and preventive measures.

Nail care with gel polish is a fairly convenient solution for many girls. After all, it lasts a long time, and at the same time looks neat. The advantages of this procedure are obvious, but there are also disadvantages. For example, allergic reactions to the gel polish itself and related products. What an allergy looks like, why it occurs and how to deal with it, we will talk in detail in this material.

Could there be an allergy to gel polish, what causes it?

It is known that everyone’s favorite gel polish is far from a natural product - it is chemistry in its purest form. The procedure also requires the application of several synthetic products for good adhesion and overall coverage of the nail plate.

• The cause of the allergy may not be the gel polish itself, but, for example, the base, UV lamp, primer, or a banal violation of the rules during the procedure for applying all the components.
• Let's list the dangerous components that may be included in your gel polish and cause allergies: rosin;
• toulol;
• formaldehyde and its derivatives;
• methacrylate;
• nitrocellulose;
• diacetone alcohol;
• phosphoric acid and other chemicals.

If you look at the number of components involved in your manicure, then gel polish consists of 1, 2 or 3 dangerous components. It is clear that the more elements placed directly on the nail plate, the higher the risk of getting an allergy instead of a manicure.

A three-phase manicure is considered safer. After all, the nail plate in this case is protected by a colored layer. It has already undergone a polymerization procedure, and there is no direct contact with the top or dangerous sticky layer. Therefore, it is so important to adhere to all the necessary requirements for applying gel polish.

Such a beautiful manicure is often the result of dangerous substances in the varnish.

What do sellers breathe?

Employees of shops and pharmacies (both sellers and warehouse workers and even loaders) may also be susceptible to occupational allergies. The reason for this is the evaporation of household chemicals, building materials, auto chemicals, medicines and even... sausages!

And if an allergy to the smell of washing powder or fabric softener, especially strong in the household chemicals department, is quite predictable, then a skin rash after a couple of weeks of working in the sausage department can be an unpleasant surprise. There is an even greater danger of developing occupational allergies among employees of relevant industries - chemical, cosmetic, perfume, pharmaceutical.

How does an allergy to gel polish manifest?

The emerging nail service industry is progressing quickly. Some manufacturers think about customers and take care of their health, using high-quality components in the production of gel polishes. Others, without hesitation, “chemicalize” crafts, the quality of which is not in question. So they are also very dangerous due to complex allergic reactions.

If your gel polish turns out to be fake, then you can expect the following disastrous consequences.

• Symptoms of a dangerous allergy. This varnish can cause itching, swelling of the cuticle, ulcers and rashes. It's painful, unpleasant and ugly. It is difficult to treat, and then removing nail polish will be a real pain, because acetone can get into the wounds, causing pain.
• The coating will be of poor quality and will peel off quickly. If your nails are covered with fake polish, don't be surprised if it swells and blisters immediately or after a few days. But this is one of the most harmless “symptoms” of dangerous varnish.
• The nail plate itself will be in danger. Such a fake can cause irreparable damage to your nails. They will begin to flake and lose their natural shine and color.
• Fumes from applying low-quality gel polishes pose a danger to your lungs. It is very dangerous to breathe like this, because some substances can settle and accumulate in our body. Thus, destroying it from the inside.

Most often it is the nail plate and the skin around it that suffers.

Symptoms

Only an allergist can make a diagnosis, identify the allergen and prescribe treatment.

You should not delay a visit to a specialist when the first symptoms appear, which can be contact, occurring after the skin and nails come into contact with manicure materials, and respiratory, caused by inhalation of vapors from nail cosmetics.

Symptoms of contact allergies:

• Burning, itching in the palms, fingers, between the fingers
• Peeling skin
• Pink or red rashes
• Blisters with liquid contents
• Cracks
• Delamination of the free edge of the nail
• Nail detachment

Contact allergies can appear throughout the body - on the face, eyelids, neck, and abdomen. This reaction is more difficult to associate with manicure, diagnose and treat.

Symptoms of respiratory allergies:

• Tearing
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose
• Nasal congestion or discharge of thin mucus
• Cough, sore throat
• Labored breathing
• Redness of the eyes
• Swelling of the eyelids, tongue
• Swelling of lips

Lyudmila Sheveleva

Doctor, pharmacist

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But anaphylactic shock, which is characterized by severe hematopoietic disorders and hypoxia (oxygen starvation), is especially dangerous. In especially severe cases, loss of consciousness quickly occurs and coma develops. If resuscitation measures are not carried out in a timely manner, death is possible.

Inhalation of allergens can provoke an immune reaction in both the client and the specialist. That is why it is recommended to work with a hood or in well-ventilated areas.

What does an allergy to gel polish look like: symptoms

Allergic reactions of the human body are always very unpleasant. It is not difficult to recognize them, but self-medication is dangerous. Therefore, we do not recommend doing this. In any case, a visit to a dermatologist will help you recover faster. But you need to know what an allergy looks like. If your gel polish turns out to be a fake product, then not only the nail plate may suffer from poor quality.

Your fingertips, cuticles, and nail folds may react with the following symptoms:

• the appearance of small blisters. Characteristic watery type. Such blisters burst and itch, painful ulcers form;
• the pads on the fingers may become red and itchy;
• allergies are characterized by local rashes. The rash can appear near the nail itself, between the fingers, on the palms themselves and even on the hands;
• the skin may become sore and red, it may also become dry and begin to peel;
• unbearable itching is a companion to allergic manifestations. The whole palm and the fingers themselves may itch;
• unpleasant burning sensations often occur, especially near the nail;
• swelling of the nail fold and the finger pads themselves. They are also accompanied by painful sensations;
• There are other serious consequences in which the nail plate can be severely damaged and come off.

If this all sounds unpleasant, it looks even worse. And most importantly, the treatment takes a long time, and it is very difficult to completely restore the nails and their healthy structure.

This unpleasant picture happens from an allergy to gel polish.

Allergy to the chemical composition of some gel polishes also manifests itself in a different, respiratory nature. The respiratory system often suffers, and this is also unpleasant and harmful to health.

Respiratory reactions to vapors vary, but most often they are:

• an incomprehensible tickle that causes coughing and in some cases sneezing;
• various types of breathing difficulties, allergic rhinitis;
• swelling and unbearable itching around the eyes. There are even some painful sensations;
• swelling in the mucosal area. The tongue suffers, sometimes the lips swell;
• lacrimation from the eyes increases. A runny nose may accompany mucous discharge.

Important: Acute respiratory allergies often cause suffocation. It is equally dangerous for both artists and their clients. In addition to using personal protective equipment, you need to ventilate the room well or choose rooms with ventilation.

Another manifestation of finger allergies
Pregnancy and allergies to gel polish

Pregnancy is a special condition that requires a woman to be attentive to herself and her health. Gynecologists do not recommend doing a manicure, using even simple varnishes and especially gel varnishes, or extending nails.

There are two reasons for this:

• chemical components are dangerous when they come into contact with sensitive skin. Some even penetrate the nail scales;
• harmful fumes that a pregnant woman inhales when applying gel polish. And also when using additional components of such a manicure.

Important: Even if allergic manifestations were not observed before, during pregnancy everything can change. In this case, the allergy is dangerous not only for the woman, but also for the unborn child. Allergies can disrupt the fetal immune system, which is especially dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy. If manifestations of the disease occur, they will have to be treated with medications, not vitamins. Therefore, they will not bring any benefit to the unborn child. In such an intimate state, it is better to breathe fresh air, and not fumes from varnishes.

Pregnant women should be extremely careful, because all external manifestations affect your baby

Diagnosis of an allergic reaction

A woman may not know how an allergy to a cosmetic product manifests itself. In each case, the body reacts differently. But if you experience discomfort, you should immediately contact a dermatologist. He will conduct an external examination, prescribe laboratory tests, and after making a diagnosis, draw up a treatment protocol and tell you in detail how to get rid of an allergy to gel polish.

Visual inspection

If the patient has a severe allergy to gel polish, to its remover, or to a UV lamp, then the diagnosis becomes much easier. The doctor immediately notices inflammation on the skin of the hands, swelling, rash, and redness. If the symptoms are not very pronounced, then you will need to get tested.

Skin tests

Your doctor will tell you how to treat an allergic reaction to gel polish after performing skin tests. This is a kind of modeling of contact with an allergen that provokes an immune response. If the reaction is positive, then swelling, redness, blisters, and itching will form at the application site.

Testing is carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist. In this case, the patient should not take antihistamines, as they reduce the sensitivity of the skin to the suspected allergen.

Laboratory research

Whether you may be allergic to gel polish will be determined by enzyme immunoassay, radioallergosorbent test, etc. Differential diagnostics cannot be ruled out based on food products, latex and other irritants. In some cases, patients try to find out how to get rid of an allergy to shellac, but it turns out that they do not have a negative reaction to the cosmetic product, but have mycosis of the nails. This disease harms both the plates and the skin. To do this, microscopy of nail particles is carried out, as well as seeding from the resulting biomaterial.

Which gel polishes do not cause allergies, and which ones are at risk?

If we talk about safe varnishes, then they must be 100% original. There is also a certain “folk” list of the best hypoallergenic varnishes:

• and primacy can be given to CND Shellac , which has proven itself in both quality and safety;
• Next comes the no less famous Gelish Harmony . These varnishes have been winners for 3 years in a row and are distinguished by one of the most gentle compositions;
• OPI and its Gelcolor also complete the list Loved by many for the exception of filing, which also harms nails;
• Of course, you can’t go past the American brand Kodi . In addition to the fact that it contains no harmful additives, the composition also nourishes the nails with natural oils;
• Entily varnishes are also rich in them . Olive oil and argan oil are especially popular;
• another varnish that does not cause allergies and is a premium varnish - Jessica Geleration ;
• InGarden is a varnish that is suitable even for problem nails;
• Ibd brand gel polish has not lost its popularity for several years now. After all, safe composition and the highest quality will always be taken into account.

The list, of course, is incomplete, but we have listed the main leaders. The cost of original brand varnishes is higher than their usual counterparts, although it varies between them. For example, Jessica Geleration costs around $30, and Gelish Harmony costs over 750 rubles. But all the listed brands have one thing in common - the quality of the materials used. Manufacturers of these gel polishes use proven formulas and conduct regular research and tests.

Shellac, which gave gel polishes a second name, does not lose ground in quality and safe composition

Dangerous gel polishes or fakes of famous brands

Let's talk specifically about each low-quality product and possible reactions to it.

• Blueskу is the first in all antitopes. Often causes itching and acute burning, rash with watery blisters and painful redness of the skin.
• Cody, popular among our craftsmen, although considered hypoallergenic, require great care. Stinging, burning and blistering can occur if you use their Chinese counterparts.
• There is a slightly similar brand called Canni , which often even frightens with its composition.
• Another coating that masquerades as hypoallergenic, but sometimes causes allergies, is Fox . The symptoms are no different from the above signs. True, in the case of Fox, the reason is the body’s individual intolerance to certain components.
• You also can't go past China Glaze . The name doesn't even hide the fake. But the most dangerous thing is that these varnishes contain formaldehyde.
• Gel polishes from manufacturers Civi and Cristina .
• The list is completed with a bouquet of dangerous ingredients by Sally Hansen, Divage, Alessandro and Flormar .
• If we talk about the case with varnishes from Color Club , then camphor was detected in their composition. But it does not have the best effect on the nails themselves, drying out the plate itself.

The greatest danger comes from counterfeits of well-known brands.

How to distinguish high-quality gel polish from a fake?

It is difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish a fake from a quality brand. But it is still possible if you know what the product should actually look like. Let's look at the example of the famous Gelish brand. The “father” of the brand and the creator of the brand, Danny Hale, protected it with three patents and received more than one award for quality. But in our industrial times, no one is protected from counterfeits. Therefore, we offer you information on what you need to pay attention to when buying high-quality varnish, so as not to confuse it with a counterfeit product.

• Price is a rule that always works. After all, fakes are much cheaper than the original. Because they do not undergo certification procedures and other studies.
• The jars may be almost the same, so pay attention to the label on the bottom. This should not just be a sticker with a number, but a label with a barcode and instructions.
• It is important what the brush looks like. For example, Gelish has a transparent brush. After all, high-quality thin fibers were used in production. The fake has a standard black short brush. The fibers are very hard and quite coarse. All poor quality varnishes have a slightly lame brush.
• Also, if you look closely at the name, you can see the difference. The original has the inscription “Gelish”, and the fake is IDO Gelish, also Gelish CCO. The same picture applies to other companies.

Well-known global manufacturers understand the importance of the situation, the danger of fake gel polishes for their customers and reputation. More than one study has been conducted, the results of which are frankly shocking. The same Gelish studied the chemical composition of the fakes IDO Gelish and Gelish CCO.

Important: As a result, the fake varnish turned out to be not varnish at all, but a product for repairing minor scratches in cars. This is a paint and varnish product that contains arsenic and even heavy metals, as well as potentially hazardous substances to human health. The most dangerous brands are considered to be Canni, Cristina, Blueskу and Civi, which could not even pass the examination.

A bad brush often reveals a fake

Low-quality antiseptics

There are two types of antiseptics:

• medical (produced by pharmaceutical corporations);
• antiseptics from cosmetic companies or gel polish manufacturers.

The second ones are cheaper and... that's it. This is where their advantages end. They do not protect the skin very well and, most importantly, they contain aromatic fragrances and dyes that cause allergies. Medical antiseptics are manufactured to strict standards and therefore disinfect the skin as much as possible and almost never cause negative reactions.

Allergy to gel polish and additional components of gel manicure

Applying gel polish is a multi-step procedure. It includes the use of not only colored varnish, but also other components for a high-quality coating. For example, a base, dehydrator or primer. Also, the master will definitely use a professional lamp to dry the layers. Allergies can be caused not by the varnish itself, but by other drugs. Let's try to figure it out in detail.

• Allergy to base or base. It manifests itself if the master uses a low-quality base. The components get on the skin, causing an undesirable reaction in the form of blisters or swelling.
• Liquids with acetone for demanicure, as alternative methods of removing manicure, can cause allergic reactions. Gel polish has a complex structure, thanks to which it stays on the nail plate for a long time. By the way, special liquids can also cause unexpected reactions in the body. If you remove it with acetone, then you will have to suffer. After all, you will be waiting for a long time to soak or wrap your nails in foil. And breathing liquid fumes for a long time is dangerous, because respiratory allergies and suffocation can occur. First of all, it is expressed by peeling and even cracking of the skin of the hands.
• Removal by filing or using a machine is faster, but inhaling nail dust is also harmful. In this case, you can use a mask and thoroughly boil the room.

Violation of the technological process also causes allergies. It is dangerous for craftsmen to work without gloves. Sterilization of instruments and their proper storage are important for clients. And you just need to follow the sequence of all stages of manicure. This will make the manicure itself durable and protect your hands.

Allergies to UV lamps are also possible. Although such manifestations are rare. In most cases, people with sensitive and damaged skin, as well as those with photodermatosis, suffer. In cases of such clients, the procedure should be carried out without a polymerization process. And for this there are special varnishes.

If you see an allergic reaction to the components listed above, try to avoid them. It is better to be healthy than to treat the consequences with expensive medications.

You may also be allergic to gel polish remover.

Poor or no ventilation

If you breathe gel polish fumes for one hour every two weeks, most likely there will be no reaction. However, the master is forced to “enjoy the aromas” of gel polish every day, for 4-5 hours a day, or even longer. The result is problems with the respiratory system of allergic origin. If the room has poor ventilation or no ventilation at all, and windows are rarely opened for ventilation, the likelihood of developing an allergy becomes even higher.

​
Craftsmen working from home are at risk. Ventilation in apartment buildings is not designed for such a load: to protect yourself, you need to equip your workplace with a special hood.

How to cure an allergy to gel polish?

If you have a good manicure, but are experiencing strange symptoms or allergies, then all is not well. The first medical aid in this case is to quickly remove all gel polish from your nails. Your technician can perform the removal efficiently. It is not possible to make an appointment with a specialist; remove your manicure at home using available methods.

Important: Afterwards it is better to consult a dermatologist. If you diagnose yourself, allergies can be confused with other skin diseases, fungus, eczema, ringworm or scabies. In these cases, treatment will be carried out with other drugs.

As for allergic manifestations, they are treated with the following medications:

• antihistamines (Suprastin, Edem, Erius, Claritin and others). The doctor selects the form of tablets or drops individually;
• Hormonal-based ointments (Akriderm, Dermovate, Sinalar, etc.) treat the manifestations themselves. They eliminate inflammation, unpleasant itching, blisters and rashes;
• They also use non-hormonal topical medications that will help relieve inflammatory processes on the skin. For example, Exoderm, Fenistil, etc.;

For respiratory allergies, medications are used that relieve symptoms of edema, suffocation, lacrimation and swelling. Combination nasal drops may be a better option. They use Alergodil S, Vibrotsyl, Erius and others.

Any antihistamines will do

Allergy to gel polish can be treated using popular traditional medicine methods:

• You should use infused baths of chamomile and string. We brew the herbs in a 50/50 ratio and let it brew for at least 30 minutes. Carry out the procedure 2-3 times a day for 15 minutes;
• use ointments with herbal ingredients such as chamomile, string, celandine, mint, bay leaf, sage and others. It is good to use Vaseline as an ointment base. You can prepare them yourself. Moreover, you can use both fresh and dry collections;
• Essential oils also work well. For example, black cumin oil is just a remedy for this allergy. It is used internally in its pure form, as well as externally along with brown flour and rose water. Proportions for a glass of flour: ¼ glass of oil and the same amount of water. The procedure should be done in the morning and before bed for 15 minutes.

Traditional methods will not be superfluous. But in cases of allergy or its manifestations to varnish, consultation with a doctor is mandatory. Moreover, it is better to use such methods as additional treatment recipes.

It’s good to make herbal baths and oil masks

What to do to relieve symptoms: medications and home remedies

The first rule and law is that if allergy symptoms appear, consult an allergist. He will conduct a survey, analyze the causes and identify allergens with a test in order to prescribe the correct treatment.

Ignoring symptoms can lead to complicated conditions and the development of chronic allergies. It is fraught with further problems not only with appearance and quality of life, but also with health. You will have to deal with dental treatment, and sometimes surgical interventions are required, during which materials with the same polymers are used as for nail extensions. Just think about it!

For uncomplicated conditions, the action plan is as follows:

1. Taking any allergy medication: Cetrin, Suprastin, Loratadine and the like.
2. Visit a salon or specialist to remove the coating.
3. Self-removal of the coating, if it is impossible to visit the salon, by a specialist at home.
4. Visiting a doctor and following prescribed treatment.

To get rid of a reaction to a manicure, you will need to completely or partially abandon extension procedures or gel polish.

If you react to a specific component in the manicure procedure, you should exclude or replace only it, for example, change the base, primer, brand of dehydrator or cuticle remover.

In addition to treatment, you will need to follow a gentle diet while the process of removing toxins from allergic agents from the body occurs. It is necessary to avoid fatty, spicy, chocolate, citrus fruits and foods with dyes.

Drink more water to help flush out toxins. For mild allergic reactions, double the daily volume of fluid (in the absence of contraindications). This will allow you to completely or partially get rid of allergies in a day or two.

Folk, home methods of treatment will also help - lotions, baths, wiping areas of reaction of irritated skin with rashes, decoctions and herbal tinctures. Baths with chamomile will relieve redness, and string and calendula will soothe itching. Oak bark will have an anti-inflammatory effect.

When coming into contact with household chemicals and water, wear gloves. Do any housework in them until the symptoms disappear.

Treatment of allergies to nails after gel polish or how to return them to normal?

After an allergy, it will not be possible to immediately stabilize the condition of the nails, because it will take time to rehabilitate and restore the nail plates and skin. Remember that proper care is the key to success. For this, experts recommend:

• consult a doctor, choose and carry out the correct treatment;
• eliminate the cause of the allergy. It is effective to get rid of gel polish and not carry out the procedure for some time, at least a month;
• take care of your nails. And for this you need to use vitamin oils, glycerin and vitamins E and A;
• take care of the skin of your hands. It is advisable to use nourishing and moisturizing creams;
• use herbal baths. And after the wounds have healed, switch to baths with sea salt and iodine to strengthen your nails;
• Severe cases of allergies require a procedure to remove the damaged nail plate. The procedure is carried out under the mandatory supervision of a doctor, using chemical or surgical methods. Therefore, always choose good and high-quality varnishes. Especially if there were manifestations of allergies.

If you are faced with such a problem as an allergy, there is no need to waste time, but you need to quickly start treatment. This will allow you to get rid of severe consequences and difficult rehabilitation.

Danger in a beauty salon

Every woman is familiar with the inscription on a box of hair dye: “Perform an allergy test before use.” But a woman dyes her hair a maximum of once or twice a month, and the hairdresser is forced to come into contact with the dye (albeit through gloves) for almost the whole working day! And this is not to mention hairspray and gels, the evaporation from which increases significantly when styling with a hairdryer or curling iron.

The work of a manicurist is no less dangerous in relation to allergies. Evaporation from polishes and nail polish removers, gels and acrylics, as well as tiny particles of filed nails constantly floating in the air, are a common cause of occupational allergic asthma or urticaria.

Meanwhile in the office...

Unfortunately, office workers are not immune from allergies. Air conditioners, printers, copiers, computers and other office equipment attract dust and bacteria like a magnet, which provoke allergic reactions. And employees of libraries, foundations and archives suffer from allergies to dust mites, which live in abundance in such institutions.

In addition, tobacco, cotton, linen and wood dust are among the most common allergens. Workers in the grain and light industries, all those associated with flour milling, confectionery, and especially tobacco production, are at risk for allergies.

Restoring damaged fingers and nails

To restore the skin on your fingers and nails, it is recommended to follow some rules:

• The first step is to eliminate the allergen. Contact with gel polish is prohibited; nail polish remover should not come into contact with your fingers, as it contains a lot of chemicals. They will make the condition worse. It is better to refuse manicures.
• The skin of your hands and fingers must be lubricated with moisturizing creams.
• Herbal baths are performed at least twice a week.
• Wash your hands with soap without fragrances or dyes so as not to worsen the condition.
• You need to take vitamins A and E. They will help you recover faster.
• Painful areas should not be rubbed or scratched, as this will make them heal more slowly.
• Ointments prescribed by a doctor are regularly applied to the damaged areas.

If the damage was severe, the patient experienced onycholysis, it is recommended to take the drugs Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, which help restore the nail plate and strengthen it.

In this case, sea salt baths are also suitable. To prepare it, mix a tablespoon of salt and 500 ml of warm water. Hands are kept in the resulting solution for 20 minutes, the procedure is carried out twice a week.

These measures will help the nails and skin on your fingers recover faster.